Property by dam owned by N.H., leased to Lebanon

The small parcel of land is used by kayakers, swimmers and fishermen throughout the spring and summer. At bottom, portions of the 1985 lease agreement. (Harrison Thorp photo)

LEBANON - Folks from Milton and Lebanon have been swimming and putting in canoes and skiffs at 300 Prospect Hill Road for years, but no one ever really knew who owned the land, and who was in charge of maintaining it.

You weren’t alone.

However, The Lebanon Voice learned recently the 2.25 acres adjacent to the Milton Three Ponds dam at the corner of Garage Way, Champion Street and Prospect Hill Road, is, in fact, owned by the N.H. Water Resources Council, which acquired the property from Public Service of New Hampshire in 1963.

Other dam properties along the Salmon Falls River watershed relinquished to the council included one at Great East Pond in Wakefield, Wilson Pond, Horn Pond, Crooks Pond, Lovell Pond and Union Meadow Pond.

In 1985, the council for one dollar granted the Town of Lebanon a 50-year lease on the property at 300 Prospect Hill Road, for the purpose of “public recreation and pubic boat launching.”

Selectmen this week were unaware of the lease and the town’s responsibility for upkeep and maintenance and have been forwarded a copy of it by The Lebanon Voice.

The town of Lebanon is required, the lease states, to keep the property “in a safe condition and free from litter.”

The lease was signed by Harold Randall, Ronal Patch and the late Howard Chick on Jan. 25, 1985.

The acreage is frequented by swimmers, kayakers and fishermen throughout the spring and summer months.